A Perspective on Sports

My latest podcast was about sports. I had a wonderful time talking sports with my guest. The conversation ended, but my thoughts on the matter did not. I couldn’t help but acknowledge the value sports have in my life. I couldn’t help but acknowledge the value sports have to all of us. Sports teach us about our potential and frailty. The competition in sports exposes each and every one of us in a beautiful way. Brene Brown speaks of the value of vulnerability and how the courage it takes to be vulnerable makes us stronger because it allows our insecurities, and the things we know to be weak about ourselves, the opportunity to grow and become hardened.

Sports tell us about ourselves and about each other. It’s a meritocracy we can observe. Your output is exhibited to the extent of your potential, as it exists in the moment. That output is put against another individual’s output and the war of dominance is waged. The winner achieves the Greek word for victory, “Nike”. The bested individual is left with undeniable feedback of what you need to do to improve as well as the conclusion as to your rightful place. Sports are beautiful, sobering, exacting, and honest all at the same time.

The ancient Greeks created the Olympics to honor the God Zeus. Herakles established the “Olympic” games in Olympia to honor Zeus. Zeus defeated Cronus for the throne of the Gods. Zeus also helped Herakles defeat Elis when Herakles battled Augeas. The games took place at the same interval as they do today. Every four years between 776BCE to 393CE.

Keep in mind, this was essentially a festival to honor the Gods. That’s a relevant detail because the Gods were all powerful. Their potential was arguably limitless. That’s what it means to be a God. Perhaps that’s where we get our first observance of the importance, value, and miraculous-ness of sports. Odell Beckham Jr. is best known for his ability to leap into the sky, and with a full bodily extension, stretch one arm out to catch a leather ball traveling at 40-plus miles per hour. Why is that amazing? It’s a feat of human capability that is unique. It’s an extension of what we previously believed to be possible by a wide receiver.

The increased potential that we see from athletes reminds us of our own full potential that exists in all of us. The spectacle of these men and women who have pushed their bodies to the extreme limits of potential, while competing against equally amazingly talented men and women, is nothing short of miraculous. Greek scholars hyperbolically tout that humans were the playthings of the Gods. Certainly much of Greek theology would support that claim. Perhaps the Gods bearing witness to these festivals are honored by their sacrifice they must make to be the incredible demigods of human potential they were. Perhaps we’re proud of the same thing. We get to bear witness to potential; to human potential; to our own human potential.

Sports are a metaphor for battle. Two groups with a goal of overpowering and out performing each other don colors and wares that signify their sides and allegiance. They train. They strategize. They organize a battle plan designed to overtake their foe. During the event, a hero emerges. The fringe, rare performance of a single individual leverages a marginal advance which turns the tide of the conflict—securing a future in favor of his/her allegiance.

Humans are contemptuous animals. We have the capability in all of us to exhibit malevolence. The early 20th century has many examples of that, and history is ripe with other examples. There is also no limit to the compassion and benevolence we can bestow to one another. In our competitive nature we’re emboldened to contend with each other. We benefit from this. Our constant grind against each other can manifest sharpness in each other. Like diamonds sharpening diamonds, we contend with each other to hone ourselves.

In sports we learn the extent of our abilities. Where we believe we’re the best we could be, we still run the risk of losing. And when we do, we learn our existing potential, while elite, is not the best. We learn it isn’t the best, but we also get to witness that the best is still possible. Because the best is human and, so am I. Prior to 1954 the 4 minute mile was believed to be the pinnacle of human performance. Scientists and doctors believed the 4 minute mile could never be broken by a human being. In 1954 Roger Bannister broke the 4 minute mile! In the years that followed, thousands—perhaps millions—can break the 4 minute mile. Even high school kids have achieved this milestone. Sports heroes, and sports in general, teach us that the only limitations that exist are in our minds.

Necessary for any functional society there are rules and ethics by which to operate. That’s culture. Simon Sinek describes culture and society as, “a group of people with a common set of values and beliefs.” I’d say that’s accurate for the purposes of this discussion. One who violates the law or ethics of a society adorns the scarlet letter. In sports this is especially true. I don’t think there is any worse place to be in this world than the known cheater in a sports competition. When we found out that Lance Armstrong was doping to achieve his goals, it didn’t matter what is philanthropy was. He violated the social contract of sports. Tonya Harding lost all of her ability to compete in ice skating when she coordinated an attack on her competitor, Nancy Kerrigan. Marion Jones was stripped of her three Olympic gold medals after admitting to steroid use. The Astros were caught stealing signs and informing the batters of what pitch was coming to the batter. In 1979 Rosie Ruiz claimed to have won the Boston Marathon. Investigation would show she short-circuited the course to win.

We detest those who violate the rules we hold to be so necessary. For good reason I might add.

Despite all of the cheaters out there, nothing evokes the benevolence of the human spirit than accountability of self in the name of the value of those rules and ethics we hold so highly. In the 1925 U.S. Open, Bobby Jones was setting up for a shot when he saw his ball move. Nobody saw it. But Jones was insistent that his ball move and that he take a stroke for that violation. When he was lauded for his actions he remarked, “You might as well praise me for not robbing banks.” He lost the match by one stroke to Willie Macfarlane.

Society is missing the message in this situation. What Jones did was a symbol of his commitment to the idea that the game he’s playing is bigger than he. What we can learn from sports ethics is that our society is more important than us. We should value one another for our contribution to our society and for our membership of that society. We’re all unique. We’re all different. We’re also all on the same team. As we reshape and rethink our society I hope we aren’t losing the spirit of sportsmanship which binds us.